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Three Rivers gives tentative support to second farmers market, pending next steps

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April 22, 2026

DDA board members spoke during the meeting, admitting they were underprepared and moved too quickly, putting the city in a position to deny the request. However, they said they plan to develop a more thorough plan to present to city staff. “I do think that we did get a little ahead of ourselves,” DDA board member Jason Ballew said, explaining that the DDA will come back with a full work plan outlining how the market would function. Ballew also asked the commission not to make any formal decisions Tuesday night.

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 21, 2026

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. in City Hall for a regular business meeting. Commissioners will have the opportunity to give input on a proposed second farmers market in Three Rivers that city staff rejected, consider amendments to city code removing inflammatory language characterizing massage therapists as sex workers and labeling homosexual behavior as “deviant,” and review a series of budget amendments reflecting differences between projected and actual revenues and expenditures. Watershed Voice livestreams all Three Rivers City Commission meetings on its Facebook page and uploads them to YouTube after.

Debate grows over second farmers market proposal in Three Rivers

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 17, 2026

What began as a request to use park space has since developed into a broader public debate over downtown priorities, city process, and whether Three Rivers can support two farmers markets at once. Three Rivers has an established weekly market operated by the Huss Project. Supporters of the proposed Scidmore Park market say a second event could create more activity downtown, and offer families another community gathering space. Critics, including some existing vendors, say the city may not have enough customers or vendors to sustain both long term.

‘If kids aren’t here, how can they learn?” Rural Southwest Michigan battles to bring back absent students

By Julie Riddle

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Local

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April 15, 2026

Some high schoolers miss school because they have been “parentified,” kept home to look after younger siblings while a parent works. Others hold down jobs to help support the family. Others “just don’t want to be here,” Bangor High School Principal Tammy Wilson says. School attendance secretary Hailey Marbut grew up in the area, where school takes a back seat for many teens in families barely scraping by. “They aren’t looking to the future and thinking of, ‘What could I do, where could I go, who could I be?’” she says. “They’re just trying to survive.”

After halting park project, Cass commissioners to reconsider key funding vote

By Maxwell Knauer

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Dowagiac

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April 9, 2026

During their March 19 meeting, commissioners split 4-4 on two funding requests tied to the project, effectively halting it despite more than $100,000 already spent on design and preparation by the county. Commissioners are now scheduled to vote again on a proposal to allocate $249,192 from the Bombardie bequest to help close the project’s funding gap.

Three Rivers Commission approves nearly $3 million in road and infrastructure projects

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 8, 2026

The most contentious agenda item Tuesday was the Department of Public Services parking lot replacement project, where Commissioner Lucas Allen sharply questioned the city’s decision not to select the lowest bidder. The exchange underscored broader tensions over cost, contractor selection, and the quality of infrastructure work across the city. During discussion, Director of Public Services Amy Roth said the city plans to present a six-year road repair plan as part of the FY 2027 budget process, with initial discussion scheduled for May 12.

Local meeting primer: Three Rivers City Commission

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 7, 2026

The Three Rivers City Commission will meet Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at City Hall for its regular business meeting. Commissioners will consider several new business items, including scheduling meeting dates for FY 2027 budget discussions and a public hearing, approving tornado response invoices to local contractors, and considering nearly $3 million in infrastructure projects throughout the city. The meeting will be livestreamed on Watershed Voice’s Facebook page and uploaded to YouTube afterward.

Three Rivers Pride pauses festival, identifies key organizational needs

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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April 2, 2026

The board, which is made up of four members — President Riley Mains, Secretary Alexis Jacobs, Treasurer Ziggy Standish, and member Desireé Horrocks — said the organization is using this year to strengthen its structure and improve long-term sustainability. “At this point, we really have to focus on strengthening the organization so that we can provide you all with the festival that the town deserves,” Standish said. The Pride festival is the group’s largest event of the year and has cost about $20,000 to $35,000 to host in past years, the board told Watershed Voice.

Over 350 gather for No Kings rally in Three Rivers

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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March 31, 2026

More than 350 people gathered at the corner of U.S. 131 and Michigan Avenue on Saturday, March 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. Supportive drivers honked as they passed, while others shouted at demonstrators from their vehicles. At least two trucks repeatedly drove past the crowd in the lane closest to the sidewalk, revving their engines and emitting diesel exhaust toward protesters.

Three Rivers Pride to host public board meeting this Wednesday

By Maxwell Knauer

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Three Rivers

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March 31, 2026

Three Rivers Pride is hosting an informational event this Wednesday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at GG’s Cookies to provide information and clarity as to why there won't be a Pride event sponsored by the nonprofit this year.

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